Over 75,000 new priority ration cards to be distributed in Kerala

Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala government will issue 73,024 new priority (pink) ration cards and 2,000 Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) yellow ration cards on August 3 as part of its 100-day action plan, officials said on Sunday.

Chief Minister V D Satheesan will formally launch the state-level distribution programme at Kanakakkunnu Palace in Thiruvananthapuram at 11 am. Food and Civil Supplies Minister Anoop Jacob will preside over the event.

According to a statement issued by the minister's office, the newly sanctioned ration cards include 73,024 priority category cards and 2,000 AAY cards meant for the poorest households.

The statement added that the beneficiaries in the first phase were chosen from 6,900 eligible families identified for Antyodaya Anna Yojana ration cards.

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At the inaugural function, the Chief Minister will distribute ration cards to 20 selected beneficiaries representing both the priority and AAY categories.

Jacob said the issuance of the new ration cards is part of the government's initiative to ensure subsidised food grains reach deserving families by removing ineligible beneficiaries from the public distribution system while taking into account changes in socio-economic conditions. (PTI)